Free agent OF Carlos Beltran chats with Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz during Beltran's World Series appearance with the St. Louis Cardinals. Could the two become teammates for the 2014 season?
(AP Photo)

Just weeks after his St. Louis Cardinals were ousted from the World Series in Game 6 by that very team, outfielder Carlos Beltran has been attached to rumors saying that he's emerged as a free agent target for the Boston Red Sox.

The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo later confirmed the report, but said that the interest was, according to a source, not that aggressive.

The 36-year-old Beltran presents a fascinating short-term free agency option for the Red Sox, who are not expected to bring back free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and have not yet fully commited to handing the job to 23-year-old Jackie Bradley Jr.

Beltran posted solid numbers in 2013, putting up a .296 batting average with an .830 OPS, 24 home runs en route to his eighth All-Star selection and first World Series appearance. However, there isn't too much tread left on Beltran's tires, making a short-term deal similar to the two-year, $26 million contract he received from the Cardinals back in 2011 the most likely scenario for the Red Sox to take a run at him.